The 30 Biggest Houses in the World

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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For most people, a home is the most cherished property since it both reflects and ensures the individual’s social status and quality of life. Most individuals would be content with a modest house, but some have goals that can only be attained by building huge, lavish mansions.

Owning one of these mansions is a source of pride, power, prestige, and wealth, but it comes with increased financial burdens. So, have you ever wondered what the biggest house in the world is? We’ve all seen big houses before, but the 30 structures above will redefine the term “big house” for you.

What is the Biggest House in the World?

What is the Biggest House in the World?

The largest house in the world has far more space than any single person or small family could ever need. They have luxuries like swimming pools, garages, movie theaters, and sports courts. The houses on our list below are not only the biggest house in the world but some of them are also the most expensive houses.

So, let’s take a look at these biggest houses, their size, location, architect, and who owns them. Here’s a list of the 30 biggest houses in the world.

1. Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei

Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei- Biggest house in the world

Image Source: timesproperty.com

Location: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Size: 2.15 million square feet

Architect: Leonardo V. Locsin

Owner: The Sultan of Brunei

Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the biggest house in the world, with a 2.15 million square feet area, 1,788 rooms, a mosque, and 257 bathrooms. In addition, the mansion features 110 car garages, an air-conditioned stable for his 200+ polo ponies, a banquet hall, and five swimming pools.

Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei- Biggest house in the world

Image Source: timesproperty.com

The palace, also known as The Light of Faith Palace, was designed by Leonardo Locsin, a Filipino Visayan architect, and completed in 1984.

Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei- Biggest house in the world

Image Source: timesproperty.com

The golden domes and vaulted roofs of the palace represent a blend of Malay and Islamic styles. This residence doubles as both a private residence and an official venue for entertaining visiting dignitaries from other countries.

Istana Nurul Imam Palace, Brunei- Biggest house in the world

Image Source: timesproperty.com

During the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday, you can visit the palace for three days. Food is provided, and guests can wait in line to meet with the Sultan or his wife.

2. Buckingham Palace, UK

Buckingham Palace

Image Source: pixabay.com

Location: London, UK

Size: 828,000 square feet

Architect: William Winde and remodeling by John Nash

Owner: Crown Estates

Buckingham Palace is one of King Charles III’s residences, but it is not privately owned because it is part of The Crown Estate. There’s plenty of space, with 775 rooms in total. It is the biggest house in the world that is owned by an independent commercial business.

Buckingham Palace

Image Source: pixabay.com

Buckingham Palace was designed in 1703 by a collaboration of five architects as a grand mansion for the Duke of Buckingham. A century later, the townhouse was expanded to include three wings that cluster around an interior courtyard.

The 19 State Rooms are open for tours during the summer, but only if you arrange them in advance. The 42-acre garden surrounding Buckingham Palace is another highlight of the tour.

The palace has 78 restrooms and is connected to Clarence House and the Houses of Parliament via a network of tunnels beneath the ground.

Buckingham Palace

Image Source: pixabay.com

The famous East Front balcony is part of a later addition to the building that was completed in the early 20th century. Not only that, but the palace also boasts a post office, a cinema, an indoor swimming pool, a doctor’s surgery, and a jeweler’s workshop.

3. Antilia Residence, Mumbai

Antilia Residence, Mumbai

Image Source: bloomberg.com

Location: Mumbai, India

Size: 400,000 square feet

Architect: Perkins and Will

Owner: Mukesh Ambani

We wouldn’t even call Antilia Residence a house, but rather a private skyscraper, given that it’s the third-biggest house in the world.

Antilia Residence, Mumbai

Image Source: bloomberg.com

It was completed in 2012 and is owned by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. Vastu Shastra has been a part of the family’s culture for generations, so the whole design was developed with it in mind.

There are 27 stories, 3 helipads, air traffic control, a 168-car garage, a ballroom, 9 elevators, a theater, a terrace garden, swimming pools, a spa, a health center, a temple, and even a snow room!

4. Biltmore Estate, Ashville

Biltmore Estate, Ashville

Image Source: romanticasheville.com

Location: Asheville, North Carolina

Size: 178,926 square feet

Architect: Richard Morris Hunt

Owner: The Biltmore Company

Asheville, North Carolina’s Biltmore Estate is home to the country’s largest private residence at 178,926 square feet. Completed in 1895, the structure’s design complements the scenic mountains surrounding it.

Winter Garden at Biltmore Estate, Ashville

Image Source: romanticasheville.com

The Biltmore Estate has a unique twist that separates it from other luxury houses around the world. In 1930, it opened to the public with a four-star Inn and a Village Hotel that provided lodging, fine dining, and wine production.

The Breakfast Room at Biltmore Estate, Ashville

Image Source: romanticasheville.com

The main home of the Biltmore Estate, owned by railroad and shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, has a chateau-like charm with no less than 250 rooms.

George Vanderbilt’s two-story library

Image Source: romanticasheville.com

There are 43 baths, 65 fireplaces, a bowling alley, a 23,000-book library, a gigantic indoor swimming pool, and every other luxury amenity imaginable, making this home one of the best in the world.

5. Safra Mansion, Brazil

Safra Mansion, Brazil

Image Source: lebaneseexaminer.com

Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Size: 117,000 square feet

Architect: Ogden Codman Jr.

Owner: Vicky Safra

Formerly owned by Lily Safra and her late husband Edmond, a prominent banker who died in a mysterious fire at his estate in Monaco in 1999, the Safra Mansion in Sao Paulo, Brazil, is inspired by the Villa Leopolda on the French Riviera.

Safra Mansion, Brazil

Image Source: lebaneseexaminer.com

The Safra Mansion is a huge, walled-in mansion that spans 117,000 square feet and contains at least 130 rooms and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Since the Safras prefer to keep to themselves, few people know what’s inside.

6. Oheka Castle, New York

Oheka Castle, New York

Image Source: tripadvisor.com

Location: Long Island, New York

Size: 109,000 square feet

Architect: Paul McClean

Owner: Delano & Aldrich

Oheka Castle is the second-largest residential estate in the United States and was built over a century ago by the late businessman and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn.

Oheka Castle, New York

Image Source: tripadvisor.com

Built on the highest point on Long Island, this 443-acre Cold Spring Harbor estate features a whopping 109,000 square feet of living space.

The mansion, which has 127 rooms, was a popular summer retreat for the wealthy and famous in the 1920s. The home has been transformed into a 32-unit upscale hotel, complete with original-era furnishings.

7. The One, California

The One, California

Image Source: businessinsider.com

Location: Bel-Air, California

Size: 105,000 square feet

Architect: Paul McClean

Owner: Richard Saghian

As one of the biggest houses in the world, the 74,000 square foot residence named “The One,” was conceived of and was built by film producer and real estate developer Nile Niami, and is one of the most expensive homes in the United States.

The One, California

Image Source: businessinsider.com

The home will have nearly every luxury imaginable, including but not limited to a 5,000-square-foot master bedroom, an Imax-style theater, four swimming pools, a garage for no fewer than 30 cars, and an 8,500-square-foot nightclub. It also has 20 bedrooms, 30 bathrooms, and a jellyfish room.

8. Arden House, New York

Arden House, New York

Image Source: theardenhouse.com

Location: Harriman, New York

Size: 100,000 square feet

Architect: Bob Abrahams

Owner: Edward Henry Harriman and Mary Averell Harriman

In 1905, when it was first built, the 100,000-square-foot Arden House was considered one of the most luxurious residences in the world. Located on a sprawling estate not far from Harriman, New York, this stunning house is a sight to be seen.

Arden House, New York

Image Source: theardenhouse.com

Edward Henry Harriman, a wealthy railroad tycoon, commissioned its construction. The 450-acre highland estate features a 125-acre lake.

Arden House is the headquarters of the Research Center for Natural Conservation, a non-governmental organization established by the Chinese conglomerate Fang Holdings Ltd.

9. Witanhurst, London

Witanhurst, London

Image Source: nypost.com

Location: Highgate, London

Size: 90,000 square feet

Architect: George Hubbard

Owner: Safran Holdings

As one of the biggest houses in the world, Witanhurst was built in 1913. The huge mansion features 65 rooms, 25 of which are bedrooms. There is a ballroom, which is 70 feet high and has an oak floor and carved decorated gold-leaf cornices.

Witanhurst, London

Image Source: nypost.com

The basement of Witanhurst was dug out and built into it to provide room for a larger family. This house has the largest double basement in all of London, with a 70-foot swimming pool, a hair salon, a spa, and a 33-seat movie theater.

10. Modern Versailles, Florida

Modern Versailles, Florida

Image Source: en.chateauversailles.fr

Location: Windermere, Florida

Size: 90,000 square feet

Architect: Not known

Owner: Jacqueline and David Siegel

The original Palace of Versailles was located outside of Paris, France, and has nothing to do with this extravagant Florida mansion. The property, which David and Jackie Siegel conceptualized, is currently being constructed.

Modern Versailles, Florida

Image Source: en.chateauversailles.fr

When completed, this luxury mansion will have 32 bathrooms, 11 kitchens, and a 30-car garage. There will also be two elevators, one of which will be made of gold.

11. Meadow Brook Hall, Michigan

Meadow Brook Hall, Michigan

Image Source: meadowbrookhall.org

Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan

Size: 88,000 square feet

Architect: William Kapp of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

Owner: Matilda Dodge Wilson

With 110 rooms and an area of 88,000 square feet, Meadow Brook Hall is not only the fourth-largest mansion in the United States but also one of America’s classified castles. There are museums and exhibitions held in this building, which was built in the Tudor revival style.

12. Fairwater, Sydney

Fairwater, Sydney

Image Source: dailymail.co.uk

Location: New South Wales, Sydney

Size: 86,000 square feet

Architect: John Horbury Hunt and J. W. Manson

Owner: Mike Cannon-Brookes

The Fairwater home in New South Wales was designed and completed in 1970 by John Horbury Hunt and J. W. Manson and is now on the national register of historic places. The home was later purchased by the Fairfax family near the end of 1900.

In September 2018, Mike Cannon-Brooke and his wife, Annie, paid close to $100 million for the property. As a result of this sale, Fairwater is now Australia’s most expensive home.

This 86,000-square-foot property, which stretches from New South Head Road to Seven Shillings Beach, is the largest private residence on Sydney Harbour.

13. La Reverie, Palm Beach

La Reverie, Palm Beach

Image Source: galeriemagazine.com

Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Size: 84,626 square feet

Architect: Sydell Miller

Owner: Not known

La Reverie, which was purchased in 1995 for a relatively affordable $4.5 million, is the largest celebrity property in Palm Beach, Florida.

The photos may make it appear as though it were only a small house, but its actual size is quite large. Current owners use it for more than just luxurious living; they also use it to hold charitable events and concerts.

La Reverie, Palm Beach

Image Source: galeriemagazine.com

Sydell Miller, the proprietor of Matrix Essentials hair care products, conceived and constructed La Reverie. The setting could not have been more ideal, as Palm Beach is a popular destination for Hollywood’s A-listers. And that’s a good thing if you’re trying to sell a home for a king’s ransom.

14. Villa Leopolda, The French Riviera

Villa Leopolda, The French Riviera

Image Source: villaleopolda.com

Location: Villefranche-sur-Mer, France

Size: 80,000 square feet

Architect: Ogden Codman Jr.

Owner: Lily Safra

Villa Leopolda, built between 1929 and 1931 by American architect Ogden Codman Jr., was owned by Brazilian millionaire Lily Safra until 2008 when she sold it to a Russian tycoon.

Located on the Côte d’Azur in France, the 80,000-square-foot building was a military hospital during the First World War.

Villa Leopolda, The French Riviera

Image Source: villaleopolda.com

It is not only one of the biggest houses in the world, but also one of the most expensive homes in all of Europe. There are two separate guesthouses on the property with a combined 11 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms.

The property also features expansive grounds and what is arguably the nicest beachfront on the entire continent.

15. Old Court House, London

Old Court House, London

Image Source: homedit.com

Location: Hampton Court Green, London

Size: 80,000 square feet

Architect: Christopher Wren

Owner: Toby Jessel

In addition to the Biltmore, the Vanderbilts built Florham, a Gilded Age mansion that spans 80,000 square feet. It is among the top ten biggest houses in the United States and was constructed in the 1890s for Hamilton McKown Twombly and his wife, Florence Adele Vanderbilt.

Florham, which has 110 rooms, was inspired by Sir Christopher Wren’s late-1700s enlargement of Hampton Court Palace.

The interior was lavishly decorated with Renaissance fireplaces and a Louis XV ballroom. Fairleigh Dickinson University purchased the estate and its 178 acres of gardens and greenhouses.

16. Château Pensmore, USA

Château Pensmore

Location: Highlandville, Missouri

Size: 72,000 square feet

Architect: Not known

Owner: Steven T. Huff

Chateau Pensmore is a mansion in the Ozark Mountains that was built by multimillionaire astronomer and businessman Steve Huff. The area is not governed by government construction regulations.

The home is made completely of energy-efficient concrete and is reinforced with Helix steel fibers, making it resistant to explosions and natural disasters. The grounds have a testing center, a museum space, and a Liberty Tree Trail in addition to the 14 bathrooms and 13 bedrooms.

17. Taohuayuan, China

Taohuayuan, China

Image Source: retalkasia.com

Location: Uzhou, China

Size: 72,000 square feet

Architect: CLD

Owner: Not owner

Taohuayuan, which translates to “utopia,” is the name of China’s most expensive property market. Located on an island in the center of a lake, Taohuayuan has 32 bedrooms and 32 bathrooms. This entire residence is practically on its private island.

Taohuayuan, China

Image Source: retalkasia.com

The huge mansion took about three years to complete. The massive home, which has traditional Chinese architecture, is presently marketed for $154 million. The mansion has 32 bedrooms, all of which face south, as well as a wine cellar, groomed grounds, and a swimming pool.

18. Lynnewood Hall, USA

Lynnewood Hall

Image Source: loveproperty.com

Location: Highlandville, Missouri

Size: 70,000 square feet

Architect: Horace Trumbauer

Owner: Richard S. Yoon

Located in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, this formerly grand estate is now abandoned and closed down. The hotel, which features 110 rooms and a Neo-Classical Revival design, was initially constructed for industrial tycoon Peter A.B. Widener.

Lynnewood Hall

Image Source: loveproperty.com

The mansion fell into disrepair, and some claim it to be the world’s largest haunted house. Richard Yoon, the founder of the First Korean Church of New York, is the current owner.

19. Xanadu 2.0, Washington

Xanadu 2.0, Washington

Image Source: scmp.com

Location: Medina, Washington

Size: 66,000 square feet

Architect: Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and Cutler Anderson Architects

Owner: Bill Gates

A large, unremarkable house sits on the banks of Lake Washington, which is home to Bill Gates and his family. Before Bill and Melinda Gates split up, they lived here. This Bill Gates house has seven bedrooms, twenty-four bathrooms, and a sensor system to control the lighting and temperature.

Xanadu 2.0, Washington

Image Source: scmp.com

The residence was given the name “Citizen Kane” after the famous film’s main character, Charles Foster Kane. The library conceals the Codex Leicster, a manuscript by the great artist Leonardo da Vinci, and two other hidden bookshelves.

20. The Breakers, Rhode Island

The Breakers, Rhode Island

Image Source: townandcountrymag.com

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Size: 62,482 square feet

Architect: Richard Morris Hunt

Owner: Cornelius Vanderbilt II

The Breakers, a Newport summer mansion built in the Neo-Italian Renaissance style for Cornelius Vanderbilt II, is commonly referred to as a Vanderbilt Mansion. This grand building has five stories and seventy rooms, for a total of 62,482 square feet of living space.

The Breakers, Rhode Island

Image Source: townandcountrymag.com

The Preservation Society of Newport County is currently in charge of maintaining its use as a tourist attraction.

21. Fair Field, Sagaponack

Fair Field, Sagaponack

Image Source: businessinsider.com

Location: Sagaponack, NY

Size: 62,000 square feet

Architect: Perkins and Will

Owner: Ira and Ingeborg Rennert

Ira Rennert, a tycoon in the junk bond industry, owns the controversial Fair Field. When MagCorp discovered that he had used company cash to buy a mansion in the Hamptons, they sued him and won, resulting in a $213 million settlement.

Fair Field, Sagaponack

Image Source: businessinsider.com

This luxurious estate features three pools, a 91-foot dining room, and 39 bathrooms for guests’ use. There’s not just the main house, but also two pool houses and a playhouse! Even the estate’s electricity needs are met, as it features its power plant.

22. Gemini Mansion, Florida

Gemini Mansion, Florida

Image Source: scmp.com

Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Size: 62,000 square feet

Architect: Marion Sims Wyeth

Owner: Larry Ellison

Gemini, one of the biggest houses in the world, is a stunning beachfront property that was purchased in 2022 by tech billionaire Larry Ellison. It features around 2,500 feet of beachfront, where 1,300 feet on Lake Worth and 1,200 feet on the Atlantic.

Gemini Mansion, Florida

Image Source: scmp.com

It was originally the residence of the Lambert family, who made their fortune in the pharmaceutical industry and was designed by architect Marion Sims Wyeth in the 1940s.

There are 33 bedrooms on the Ellison estate and 12 of which are in the main house. The sports complex includes a tennis court, a golf driving range, and a treehouse.

23. Maison de L’Amitie, Florida

Maison de L’Amitie, Florida

Image Source: themostexpensivehomes.com

Location: Palm Beach, Florida

Size: 60, 000 square feet

Architect: Not known

Owner: Dmitry Rybolovlev

The French Regency-style home Maison de L’Amitie (which translates to “the house of friendship”) sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, with a border length of 492 feet facing the water.

Maison de L’Amitie, Florida

Image Source: themostexpensivehomes.com

With 18 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, a ballroom, and a gallery, this home is a perfect example of the neoclassical architectural style. The property was sold off to a number of different people before its demolition in 2016.

24. The Manor, Los Angeles

The Manor, Los Angeles

Image Source: workandmoney.com

Location: Mapleton Drive, Los Angeles

Size: 56,500 square feet

Architect: James Langenheim & Associates

Owner: Not known

This enormous estate, which was formerly held by TV producer Aaron Spelling and later purchased by Petra Ecclestone, is also known as Spelling Manor. No one knows who the current owner is.

The Manor, Los Angeles

Image Source: workandmoney.com

The Manor, located in Holmby Hills, is the neighboring mansion to the much smaller Playboy Mansion, but it is larger than the White House and the average American home by a factor of 21. The property was built on the site of Bing Crosby’s home, which was demolished to make way for it.

25. Hala Ranch, Colorado

Hala Ranch, Colorado

Image Source: businessinsider.in

Location: Aspen, Colorado

Size: 56,000 square feet

Architect: Hagman Yaw

Owner: John Paulson

With an estimated worth of $135 million, this 56,000-square-foot mansion is the third most expensive home in the United States.

Hala Ranch, Colorado

Image Source: businessinsider.in

This property, once owned by Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, features a sewage treatment facility, a mechanical workshop, and a rustic home with 15 bedrooms and 16 bathrooms, all of which are framed by massive timber beams and anchored by stone columns.

26. The White House, Washington DC

The White House, Washington DC

Image Source: worldoftravel.com

Location: Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C

Size: 55,000 square feet

Architect: James Hoban

Owner: President of United States

The White House, created in a neoclassical style, is yet another one of the biggest houses in the world. It serves as the official residence of the President of the United States.

The White House, Washington DC

Image Source: worldoftravel.com

It has changed much throughout the years and now occupies 55,000 square feet. The current White House complex features the Presidential Residence, the West Wing, the East Wing, and the Executive Office Building, all of which are occupied by the President and his or her senior staff.

27. Palazzo di Amore, Beverly Hills

Palazzo di Amore, Beverly Hills

Image Source: marketwatch.com

Location: Lania Lane, Beverly Hills

Size: 53,000 square feet

Architect: Bob Ray Offenhauser

Owner: Jeff Greene

The Palazzo di Amore is one of the world’s most gorgeous mansions, and it’s located in Beverly Hills, California. This 25,000-square-foot home was built in 2005 and is situated on 25 lush acres.

Palazzo di Amore, Beverly Hills

Image Source: marketwatch.com

The luxurious estate has 12 bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a ballroom with a DJ booth, and a gourmet kitchen with the latest appliances. The outdoor area features manicured grass, gardens, and an infinity pool that can accommodate up to 150 guests.

28. Nottoway Plantation House, Louisiana

Nottoway Plantation House, Louisiana

Image Source: nottoway.com

Location: White Castle, Louisiana

Size: 53,000 square feet

Architect: Henry Howard

Owner: Joseph Jaeger Jr.

Built in a hybrid Greek Revival and Italianate architecture, Nottoway Plantation is the largest plantation home in the South at a whopping 53,000 square feet.

Nottoway Plantation House, Louisiana

Image Source: nottoway.com

The first floor of this three-story home is made up of a brick base coated in rusticated stucco that rests above a concrete foundation and is facing eastward, towards the Mississippi River.

29. Updown Court, Surrey, England

Updown Court, Surrey, England

Image Source: dailymail.co.uk

Location: Windlesham, Surrey

Size: 50,000 square feet

Architect: John B. Scholz

Owner: Not known

The Indian businessman who currently owns the Grand Upside Down Court is tasked with safeguarding this exceptional example of the neo-classical Californian architectural style.

This luxurious building is 50,000 square feet in size, and it features 103 rooms, 24 bedrooms, a fully automated two-lane bowling alley, five swimming pools (including an infinity pool), a squash court, a floodlit tennis court, a wine cellar that can hold 3,000 bottles, and a panic room.

30. Pritzker Estate, LA

Pritzker Estate, LA

Image Source: marycumminsrealestatemarycummins.blogspot.com

Location: Los Angeles, California

Size: 50,000 square feet

Architect: John B. Scholz

Owner: Not known

Having a total size of 49,300 square feet, the New Pritzker Estate is another one of the huge houses in the world. It was constructed for Anthony Pritzker, who is a well-known billionaire.

The two basement levels of this palatial building are home to the game room, two-lane bowling alley, entertainment foyer, bar, and offices. The mansion uses geothermal heating and cooling, LED lighting, climate control, and solar panels put on the roof.

Conclusion

There are certainly plenty of huge houses worldwide, but these massive buildings set a new standard. You will certainly never look at a house the same way again after reading this list of the biggest houses in the world. We hope you enjoyed our list of the world’s 30 biggest houses.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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